Somewhere on a hillock without attachments

Running has become a fad in India. In Bangalore, where I live, there are organized every weekend, which in a way is good. It also takes the pleasure away from why you started running in the first place. Runners should seriously consider which and how many races they participate in a year. Quality diminishes with quantity.

Amongst all these races, there are a few that stand out, in all aspects. Be it the course, or the crew support, or the challenge that it offers. Chennai Trekking Club has been organizing races for the last four years (I participated in the inaugural Chennai Trail Marathon in 2012), and have been doing a great job. It wouldn't be justice to this post, without mentioning Peter Van Geit. The name is enough.

I signed up for the 100K distance CTC's Jawadhu Hill Ultra when I didn't get a slot for the 24hr run at the Bangalore Stadium run. Having done the 100K distance a couple of times before, I knew the kind of training that's involved in getting a quality 100K done. Unfortunately for me, I had family and work constraints that that didn't allow me to put in the kind of training that I would have liked. 

I changed my strategy and put in more runs during the weekend. For the last 4 weeks leading to the race, I put in atleast two long runs, irrespective of the time. In one particular weekend, I put in four different training runs covering 67kms. This helped me simulate the fatigue on the legs. I another training run, I did 28kms on empty with just one water break of 300ml. Overall I would say that my training went fairly well, even though it was compromised in the last 2 weeks leading to the race.

On the eve of the race, when I evaluated myself, I was prepared to DNF if there was a risk of injury. Four of us drove together to the venue, which I should say was fairly relaxed. St.Joseph's school in Jamunmarathur doubled up as the expo centre and hotel, while the school grounds served as the venue and campgrounds. With everything taken care of volunteers, the atmosphere was friendly and devoid of any commercial stuff. 

We quickly settled into our beds (two school benches joined together), after dinner and running pep-talk with fellow runners. With the race starting at 3:00 am, I had to wake up at 1:30 am. I barely caught any sleep till 12:30. Later I figured that was the case with most of us in the room.

Being the first one to arrive at the start point, I saw the organizers were getting ready. Sameer (thank you buddy) joined me at the start before heading back to sleep. Surprisingly, there wasn't any food available at the start, and I had to start without a pre-race meal. At the start line, I quickly chatted with a few fellow runners.The course was two loops of 50K each, 25K out and back, with a deviation on the return leg. Those wanting to downgrade to a lesser distance can do so, without any penalty. Eligibile for a medal, but not for podium classification. The organizers did a good job in making the rules clear, and the race was flagged off at 3:08 sharp. 

With the whistle blowing away, I started off quickly, thanking those present at the start line. I quickly settled into the 3rd position after a couple of kms, trodding in the dark. My strategy was clear. Settle into an easy pace, without over-exerting. Save the energy for the run for the second half. That's when the real race starts. Will be happy if I do 52-53k in 6 hours. 

Running in the dark was quite an experience. I carried my cycle torch, which was very powerful. Jawadhu hills doesn't have any major wildlife, and snakes were completely out of my mind when I was running. I caught a glimpse of a few fire flies here and there. It was the most amazing dawn I've ever seen.

The first few kms were quite good. After that we seemed to climb a never-ending hill. Darkness only helped us to hide what was coming ahead. I could climb some of them, while others were walked in the interest of conserving energy. Course support was excellent during this time. There were bikers and a car who treated us royally. I got a spare torch, coconut oil for my chafing issues. Organizers were well prepared. 

With no food available at the start point, I grabbed a quick bite of chocolates, chikki and whatever available at the 1st aid station. This, somehow, didn't go quite well with my stomach. While there was nothing major, there was uneasiness in the stomach. I had to slow down to a walk for a couple of ms to let the food digest. The 25kms was completed in 2:54 (courtesy a bio-breaks). At the next aid station, the realized that the ORS drink was quite dilute, and was barely sweet. With the temperature warming up, I was looking more for the sugars, and it turned to be other way.

I slowly caught up with Arjun, who was in 5th position at this time, and we continued together, chatting away. At the 30th km, we estimated that we could reach the half-way point at 5:40. After this, I tried once more to put something into my stomach, a couple of chikki. That again gave the same uneasiness that I had earlier on the race. I slowed down to a walk and recovered after a couple of kms, 

Ater having run 40km, my race strategy was clear. Go till 75K and continue based on the lead position. With the heat and the stomach slowing me down, I reached half-way mark at 5:54. Surprisingly, all those who were ahead spent quite a bit of time at the half-way point (also same as start point). Ajay and Ramesh who had a 4K lead at 25K, just started off as I arrived at the aid station. I gave feedback to the organizers that the ORS on the course was too dilute to be effective. At the same time, I got a quick meal of curd rice. 

I just hung around the medical aid station for another 10 minutes, getting some stretches. While not planned, I took a quick nap on the chair, and dozed off for half-hour. By the time I woke up, my watch was reading 6:50. With this I was in two minds, whether to continue or call it off for the day. 

It was going to be another 7+ hours on the course, and could be 8 if the temperature soared. While, I was feeling perfectly well, my left hamstring could act up any time. For the 75km mark, I had to get 25K further away, and have to wait for a ride to return. 

While a variety of factors that played out, 

1. I wasn't psychologically prepared to run beyond 14 hours

2. I wasn't sufficienly trained for the heat. 

Having your mind fight out all those factors is part and parcel of the game, and you can't get aways from that.

As I think about it, it could be a wasted opportunity, or that the injury risk was higher. For whatever it is, I will surely comeback, even if it meant I had run through the hottest part of the day. The course and the organizers make it a unique experience that one can get.

This is certainly a world away from all of those commercial races, ones that you fly-in, stay in a star hotel, and fly-out. And by the way, I rediscovered the simple joy of running, one without any attachments: no PBs, no timings. Simply eat, drink and run.

Here's the Garmin Link:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1292863268

Filling water at the aid station. These volunteers camped on-site overnight, such is the commitment

One of the aid-stations

A view from the course